Ghost is $25/mo (Starter). Post is a self-hosted alternative at $0.99/mo. Here's when each makes sense.
| Post | Ghost | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Self-hosted, your infra | Self-hosted option requires Node.js, MySQL, and ongoing maintenance |
| Data location | Your server, your disk | Your server (if self-hosted) |
| Free tier | 10 posts | Paid only |
| Pro pricing | $0.99/mo | $25/mo (Starter) |
| Dependencies | None (single binary + SQLite) | Docker, Postgres, etc. |
| Setup time | ~30 seconds | 15-30 minutes (self-host) |
| Dashboard | Built-in at /ui | Web UI |
| License | BSL 1.1 | Open source |
Post is a single Go binary with embedded SQLite. Install it with one command, and you are running in under a minute. Your data stays on your server.
curl -fsSL https://stockyard.dev/post/install.sh | sh
The pricing math between Post and Ghost changes depending on team size. Ghost at $25/mo (Starter) is reasonable for a solo user. At ten seats, the difference compounds. Post is a flat $0.99/mo regardless of seats — the binary does not count how many people use it. For growing teams, this makes Post progressively cheaper while Ghost gets progressively more expensive.
The operational difference is significant. Ghost requires you to trust their infrastructure, their security practices, and their business continuity. Post requires you to run a process and keep the data directory backed up. If your server dies, restore the binary and the SQLite file to a new server. The entire recovery procedure fits in a single paragraph because there is nothing else involved.
Ghost can be self-hosted, but the experience differs significantly from Post. Self-hosted option requires Node.js, MySQL, and ongoing maintenance With Post, self-hosting means downloading one file and running it. The gap in operational complexity matters most for small teams without dedicated DevOps staff.
If you are currently using Ghost and considering Post, start by running both in parallel. Install Post on a test server, point your workflow at it for a week, and compare the experience. Post's data directory is isolated — running a trial costs nothing beyond the compute. If Post does not fit, delete the binary and the data directory. There is nothing else to clean up.
Single binary. Free to start. $0.99/mo for Pro.